The City Rankings continue with a look at the Charlotte area’s top talent. Here’s a look at the Top 5 Forwards in Charlotte’s 2023 class.
#1 Mekhi Grant Mekhi Grant 6'9" | C Word of God | 2023 State NC | 6’7 F | Combine Academy
Grant is a recent new addition at Combine Academy but he did well showing off his rim-to-rim ability and defensive presence in the paint. As he learns to be a factor on the offensive end, he’ll emerge as a top prospect in the area.
#2 Callum Richard Callum Richard 6'11" | C Gaston Day | 2023 State NC | 6’8 F | Gaston Day
Richard is a versatile prospect with a nice array of moves in the post and in the midrange area. He uses every inch of his 6-foot-8 frame on both ends to make an impact on the floor. He’s an active forward that’s just getting started in the Charlotte area.
#3 Donovan Raymond Donovan Raymond 6'9" | C West Charlotte | 2023 State NC | 6’8 F/C | West Charlotte
Raymond is an emerging forward prospect that showed flashes of his paint presence at West Charlotte in 2019-20 on the varsity level. He averaged 7.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 1.7 bpg in their rotation, showing off his paint-presence alongside Chancellor Morrow, another name to get to know in the area.
#4
Elijah Strong
Elijah
Strong
6'8" | PF
Myers Park | 2023
State
#167
Nation
NC
| 6’6 G/F | Myers Park
Strong showed he belonged in 2019-20 for the Mustangs by leading them in blocks (24) and finishing as the team’s third-leading scorer (174 points). He’s an emerging name that put up 7.3 ppg. 4.0 rpg and 1.0 bpg while showing off his developing 3-point shot. He shot 9-of-26 (35 percent) from the field and is due for a breakout season in 2020-21.
#5 Cade Nicholson Cade Nicholson 6'4" | SG Charlotte Christian | 2023 State NC | 6’3 F | Charlotte Christian
Nicholson got some experience under his belt with Charlotte Christian at the varsity level in 2019-20, posting 4.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg. He’s a versatile threat that can rebound the ball and stretch the floor with his ability to shoot the 3-ball.
